Meniscal transplantation and regeneration using functionalized polyurethane bionic scaffold and digital light processing 3D printing

Owing to the limited healing ability, the repair of meniscal injury and prevention of secondary osteoarthritis pose considerable challenges for clinicians and researchers. While tissue engineering technology is a promising method, many difficulties, including the construction of the meniscus scaffold with appropriate mechanical properties and its functionalization to promote the regeneration of meniscus tissue, remain to be addressed. In this study, a novel structurally and functionally optimized tissue engineering meniscus scaffold with mechanical properties and spatial structure similar to those of a natural meniscus is prepared using digital light processing 3D printing technology. Kartogenin-loaded polyurethane scaffolds with a specific structure designed using finite element analysis are printed, and their surface is modified using polydopamine. The optimized scaffolds exhibit superior performance in promoting meniscus regeneration, protecting articular cartilage, and mitigating the development of osteoarthritis. Moreover, this study addresses challenges posed by polyurethane, which is found in most widely used commercial meniscus grafts, including unsatisfactory biocompatibility with stem cells and unavailability of a fine 3D structure. Although further research in preclinical applications is required, the results of this study in terms of a next-generation clinical meniscus biomaterial repair strategy are promising.